I always liked the transition from Space into NFA at this show. Like the dawning of a new day after a dark foreboding night. Sugar Mag rocks. The Baby Blue for the Dodgers, who lost the pennant the night before (I think), is pretty sweet. Regardless of the comments about the quality of the recording or the band's overall performance, the post-space songs are worth checking out.

Not a particularly strong outing for the band. And the sound quality of this audience reoording is rather flat. I guess it was a fun show at the time, but there is really nothing compelling here to come back to...

You know something's up when the opener is Shakedown > Samson. When was the last time Samson was played in a first set anywhoo? Shakedown is well delivered and funky with good group interplay but not over the top and Samson brims with energy as the band plays their asses off to get this show started right. The scene mellows for a while with a gorgeous Peggy-O and forgettable LLR. Bro Esau has JG heating things up and he continues to stoke the fires with a rollickin' Big RR Blues. Let It Grow features the band doing just that.

The second set continues with the fire. A few missed lyrics on Touch of Grey but its a good way to get things started. Estimated quickly sets the vibe for the second set, and it snakes along hypnotically without stagnating. Jerry is seriously on fire in the bridge jam and the outro is precision GD music. I find the transitions in the second set to be superb, starting with Jerry shredding the way into Eyes and the band not missing a beat. Eyes is short but played wickedly fast with JG delivering rapid series of articulate crescendos. This version ends quickly with Jerry leading the smooth transition to Women R Smarter, which is a monster version. Hot solos and great backup vocals by Brent, even more so on the blazing NFA, which has a very sweet lead in. Once again, Jerry leads the way into Sugar Mags, playing the them on his own for a number of bars before the band comes in to rage this one home. Encore is sweetly sung and played.

Listen to this one for great singing (Brent and Jerry) and hot transitions in the second set.

As for another reviewer, this was my first show (so "out there" that during Touch Of Grey I felt a strong wind blowing through the hall and saw people's clothing being whipped about by it). But I give this show high marks not for my experience, but rather for the excellent musicianship. Standouts for me are the same as most other reviewers, as well as the delicate, ethereal segue from Space into Not Fade Away, which has remained one of my favorite pieces of Dead music. Although the entire band is hot, I always considered this one of Brent's best efforts.

This show has been overlooked, possibly due to MSG shows shortly thereafter, when the boys broke out St. Stephen. The previous night in Richmond is also well worth the acquisition.

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the classic Peggy-O.
IMHO one of the best ever - rivals great ones like Boston '77 (although very different)... this one's solo just builds and builds and not a missed note.
Also, the little riff after "guineas clink" is an awesome touch.

Great show! We had so much fun, I blew off mid-terms and went to NY for the Garden shows!

Big RR >Let It grow to end the first set was sweeeeet.

This show would be great, but the pitch of teh recording is too high. We're talking Jerry and the Chipmunks here. Somewhere along the recording/mixing chain this show got speeded up. I checked it against my strobe tuner. Like an LP spinning at 35rpm instead of 33. I wish my cd player had a pitch adjustment. If yours does, I really would recommend the show.

As does the whole show.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, here we have another case of "Bob Gone Wild" or BGW for short. I don't know how the others missed it; but, Bob completly goes of on his wammi bar in the SugarMags. This version is probably the most extreme use of distotion via Bob's tremlo bar! Most SugarMags are quite similar...till you get to the ending. For me, this ending says it all and for if nothing else, d/l this one tune. I've heard most of them this one is in the top 10 along with the 4-26-71 where SkyDog (Duane Allman) sits in and takes over as usual. Another must have. But, the other thing out of the ordinary about this show is the dualing lyrics at the end of NFA, Brent just keeps pushing Bob, and you know what happens next. See also the end of HeyJude Finale 07-03-88 Oxford,ME. These are the only two parts of the show that truely set it apart as a classic to aquire. Trust me! My judgement is supreme. Being a musician that has played all music,especially the Dead, when I say it stands apart and is exceptional--it is!!!
FEEDBACK Always welcome jvjersey AT yahoo

Last time I saw the band. My memory told me they were HOT from the first chord of Shakedown. After re-living the concert I know I was right. Impressive Rooster and Railroad. If you like your EYES rock and roll download NOW. Whole show is up-tempo and rock and roll. Highly recommended.

Wow Tiger! My first dead show as well! I'd seen numerous other bands by this time and thought I knew what a concert was about, but I learned MUCH this evening!!!! Great Shakedown! Fast early version of Touch. One of my favorite versions of Brother Esau! I hope all will enjoy this show as much as I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jerry's miscues, evidenced at the end of "Let It Grow" and the beginning of "Eyes of the World" here, grew more and more alarming during this period.

OK, I'm biased...this was my first show, and everybody always thinks that their first show is the "best ever." I won't go that far, but IMHO, this show really rocks, from the Shakedown>Samson opener to the NFA>Sugar Mags out of Drums to close. Really, the whole 2nd set kicks ass. Not sure if this is the same source as mine (I got mine off of bt.etree), but I think it is. If so, I really like the sound quality of the AUD. Definitely worth a DL and listen. A heads-up to the purists out there: the version I've got has brief fade-ins/outs where the taper stopped rolling to conserve tape. I've got no problem with that, but I know that some folks do. Again, I'm not sure that this is the same source as mine, but since it fits onto 2 discs (as mine does), I believe that it may be.